By snoadmin
Sanrio’s most popular character, Hello Kitty, was created without a mouth, but her legacy continues to speak to all generations.
Small Gift Los Angeles previews Sanrio’s 50th anniversary celebration to fans by using its “small gift, big smile” philosophy at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif.
“It’s so cute, and they really did an amazing job with creating a county fair and carnival feeling inside The Barker Hangar,” said Michele Grant, CEO of the Grilled Cheese Truck.
The 35,000-square-foot festival induces nostalgia with ubiquitous decorations such as giant character balloon heads that hang from the ceiling like clouds, a small ferris wheel that overlooks a miniature golf course and carnival game booths with guaranteed prizes.
“The two hours of training to work here is worth the giveaways and hangout,” said event staffer Nhan Pham, who works the beanbag toss booth. “I wish [my stand] was a bit more busy.”
Just as how a kid can get lost in a myriad of products at the Sanrio store, Small Gift L.A. has plenty of one-of-a-kind activities for its visitors. These include photo booths, live music, a video arcade and a pop-up store.
“There was a store back home in Georgia called The Perfect Place, and this [event] is like that and amazing, like a dreamland,” Jessica Calleiro, Sanrio fan, said.
The frenzied pop-up store sells the popular Hello Kitty bow headbands and limited edition items, which include special product collaborations with Lomography, Mimoco and tokidoki.
The anniversary celebration has a “rotating-mobile food court feeling” with 30 food trucks, Grant said. The Flying Pig Truck, Shrimp Pimp and Yogi are among the food trucks that line up outside the hangar. Inside, Pink’s Hot Dogs, Beard Papa’s, Yogurtland and concession stand snacks also are available.
JapanLA curated the art exhibit with 50 artists who showcase their pieces in 11 installation areas, which are for sale to the public.
“To be able to design art pieces with characters I grew up with is a dream come true,” said artist Liz Lorini, who goes by Miss Kika, and describes her work as “sugar sweet.”
Many Sanrio aficionados also come to showcase their do-it-yourself outfits comparable to cosplay with cotton candy wigs, lace, glitter and other accents.
“As a designer who appreciates all types of art, I was amazed by the art on the walls as well as the art walking around in display on all these incredible people,” fashion designer Domonique Battle said. “Sanrio brought out the creativity in people’s clothing and I enjoyed being able to see it.”
Badtz-Maru, Chococat, Keroppi, My Melody and Hello Kitty character mascots are larger than life and interact with the crowds for brief periods.
Small Gift will be at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica until Nov. 21. Admission is free for day events. For more information, visit http://www.sanrio.com/smallgift/
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